Monday Funday

Happy Monday everybody!! Today was a very good day in 8th grade summer school land! We started the day off by learning this week's new vocab words. Next, we watched a video on Edgar Allan Poe. After the kiddos learned a little bit about the famous author, we read one of his famous short stories, "A Tell-Tale Heart". The kids really responded to this story. (Probably because its so gruesome! Weirdos!) To finish off the day's activities, the students had a quiz over the reading. In addition, they were asked to write a half a page on this topic: "Have you ever been suspicious of someone? Who? When? And why were you suspicious?". The answers we got to that question were shocking...you'll hear more on that later! ;)

I didn't actually teach in first period today, but I taught almost everything for the second period class. In first period, I did work with the students on completing various assignments, though, and it went really well. I say this, because if you spoke to me over the weekend, you know that the first period kiddos had me super stressed out and worried. I feel like they're the kids that I have the hardest time getting through to and that's really frustrating. However, today I felt less intimidated by them. (Maybe this means I'm gettin the hang out this whole teaching thing! hehe) My second period kiddies were good, but hyper, as usual. Overall, it was a great day! I got in a workout at Lifetime on my way home from school, so I'm feelin good! :) Let's hope the rest of the week goes as smoothly!

Of course, no blog is complete without some daily funnies from the crazyyy kiddos....

-The first period class had some extra time, so they started presenting their research projects. One group researched the Illuminati. I was very excited to hear what the kids had to say about this topic, because its very intriguing to me. However, I didn't exactly get the presentation I was expecting from this group. Instead of giving me the names of the families that are a part of this secret group, the students proceeded to tell me that the rappers that are part of the Illuminati are either a. aliens or b. in close contact with aliens. Yes, aliens. Like ET aliens. We then had to have a discussion about Wikipedia and the fact that ANYONE can post ANYTHING on the site. The fact that these 2 8th (almost 9th) graders got up in front of the class and both my mentor teacher and myself and told us this "interesting and truthful facts" was shocking. You'd think they'd know better or at least cross check what they've found... Good grief!

-In a discussion over Edgar Allan Poe marrying his cousin, one student exclaimed, "Wait! Its illegal to marry your cousin!?! Like even if they're your second cousin?!". We told him that it was, indeed, illegal. Not sure what's goin on in that kid's life...he seemed a little TOO upset about that law if ya ask me...

-While walking the students back from their break, I happened to overhear a conversation between 3 of my boys from my second period class. Its important to note that 2 of these boys had already previously failed and had been in junior high for 4 years (instead of 3). One of the older, flunky boys shared his plan for the future. He said that he would probably be stuck in 8th grade again next year (for the 3rd time...). He told the other boys that he would stay in school till he could date a younger teacher that would give him the answers and free 100's. That, he said, was his plan for passing and graduating high school. Again, GOOD GRIEF!

-Now back to those "suspicion papers". Remember, the topic was to write about a time when you were suspicious. Here are a few of the more interesting responses we got:

1. One simply started off discussing living with his grandma in a nice neighborhood. He said the only downside to the neighborhood was that he was suspicious that the guy that lived next door was "a gay". I found the working hilarious. Normally, you'd just say "gay", not "a gay". Oh, and he ended the paper by saying "It sucked". Yes, this paper was for a grade. No, that is not appropriate language for the classroom OR for a PAPER!

2. My "teen mom" wrote about a time she was suspicious of her boyfriend. The story ended with her saying that he was cheating on her. TMI. WAYYY TMI, girlfriend!

3. Another boy told me the story of him finding his brother smoking pot in his room. I'm not exactly sure why the kids felt the need to share THAT much with us, but all I can say is I'd rather NOT know every detail of their crazy little lives! Lordy Lord!

6 Days of Summer School left and 10 days till Eric visits! :) Let the countdown begin!
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